English

Noun

exoneration ‎(plural exonerations)

1. An act of disburdening, discharging, or freeing morally from a charge or imputation.
   • 1845, Encyclopaedia Metropolitana, Or, Universal Dictionary of Knowledge

     This animal, like the camel, is domable, and will carry from seven to nine stone; it will fall on its knees for the convenient reception and exoneration of its burden.

   • 2007 May 14, Patrick Mcgeehan, “New York Plan for DNA Data in Most Crimes”, in New York Times:

     Mr. Spitzer’s proposal also calls for the creation of a state office that would be responsible for studying all cases that resulted in exonerations and looking for flaws in the system that led to those wrongful convictions.

2. (uncountable) The state of being disburdened or freed from a charge.

See also

• rehabilitation
• vindication

Translations